The United States clinched victory in the intense race for Olympic supremacy, narrowly edging out China in a thrilling conclusion to the Paris 2024 Games. Both nations finished with an impressive 40 gold medals each, but it was the United States’ overall tally of 126 medals that secured them the top spot on the medal table, with China close behind at 91.
The decisive moment came on Sunday when the U.S. women’s basketball team, in a nail-biting finale, defeated France 67-66 to claim the last gold medal of the Games. This victory not only marked their eighth consecutive Olympic gold in women’s basketball but also solidified the United States’ place at the summit of the medal standings, capping off 17 days of remarkable athletic achievement.
The final day of the Games was a showcase of thrilling competition, highlighted by a stunning performance in the women’s marathon by the Netherlands’ long-distance running sensation, Sifan Hassan. Known for her remarkable versatility and endurance, Hassan took on the monumental challenge of competing in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events—an endeavor many deemed almost impossible.
Just two days after securing bronze in the 10,000m, Hassan lined up for the marathon, where she faced intense competition from Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa. In a dramatic sprint finish, Hassan overtook Assefa to win gold by a mere three seconds, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. Exhausted yet elated, Hassan collapsed on the blue carpet in front of Paris’s historic Invalides memorial before triumphantly wrapping herself in the Dutch flag to celebrate her extraordinary achievement.
Reflecting on her grueling schedule, Hassan admitted the immense difficulty of the task she had set for herself. “It was not easy,” the 31-year-old remarked. “It was so hot, but I was feeling OK. I’ve never pushed myself through to the finish line as I did today. Every moment in the race, I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m. I was telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today. From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way. I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?'”
The closing day also saw champions crowned across various other sports. Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas triumphed in the modern pentathlon, skillfully combining running and shooting to secure the gold, with the French crowd enthusiastically cheering home favorite Elodie Clouvel, who claimed silver. In the weightlifting arena, China’s Li Wenwen celebrated her gold medal in a unique fashion, lifting her coach off the ground instead of the barbell. Meanwhile, at the velodrome, Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen continued his dominance in track cycling, winning the men’s keirin event—his third gold of the Games—breaking British dominance in the event since 2008. New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews captured the women’s sprint title, adding to her keirin gold, and American cyclist Jennifer Valente secured victory in the women’s omnium.
In men’s water polo, Serbia completed a historic hat-trick by winning their third consecutive Olympic gold, defeating Croatia 13-11 in a hard-fought final at La Defense Arena. The celebrations were jubilant as the Serbian team pulled their coach into the pool, marking the end of their successful campaign.
As the final medals were awarded and the competition drew to a close, the focus shifted to the highly anticipated closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The ceremony, expected to be a spectacular celebration, featured Hollywood star power, with rumors swirling that “Top Gun” actor Tom Cruise would play a central role in a breathtaking stunt sequence. Cruise, who has been filming the latest installment of the “Mission Impossible” franchise in Europe, was a frequent presence at various Olympic events throughout the Games, adding to the excitement of his possible involvement in the closing ceremony.
The ceremony also served as a prelude to the next Summer Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles in 2028. The Los Angeles Games are expected to heavily feature the city’s Hollywood heritage, with pop icon Billie Eilish, rapper Snoop Dogg, and the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers already confirmed to play key roles in the event.
As Paris prepared to bid farewell to one of the most successful Olympic Games in history, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the spectacular opening ceremony along the River Seine, reflected on the significance of the Games. “On August 11, the Olympic Games will be over, and the Olympic flame will be extinguished,” Jolly remarked. “That moment will remind us just how precious these Olympic Games are.”
With the flame set to be extinguished, the world now looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028, where the Olympic spirit will continue to inspire athletes and fans alike.